It is estimated that more that 1.75 million Americans suffer from Age-Related Macular Degeneration (AMD), and this number is expected to nearly double within the next 10 years. As we age, the macula tissue in the center of the retina begins to deteriorate, making AMD the leading cause of blindness in people over the age of 65.
The rods and cones that comprise your macula have two segments. The inner segment produces proteins that respond to light, while the outer segment uses these proteins to produce images. As these proteins are used by the outer segment, your body removes them as waste and replaces them with new proteins created by your inner segment. As you age, your ability to remove this waste is diminished, causing deteriorated vision from the fat-like deposits that form in the left behind waste.
Symptoms of AMD
The symptoms of AMD include:
Fuzzy vision
Difficulty reading
Shadows in your central vision
Difficulty seeing in low light
Decreased brightness in colors
The symptoms of AMD are often gradual and completely painless, making regular exams by your ophthalmologist particularly important as you begin to age. In fact, regular eye exams can identify AMD long before you have any symptoms, allowing your ophthalmologist an opportunity to treat the problem before it causes any difficulties to your vision.
Diagnosis of AMD
After the age of 45, your eye doctor will begin to look for early signs of macular degeneration, even if you are not suffering from any of the symptoms. In addition to regular eye exams, your doctor may use angiography or optical coherence tomography to diagnose AMD.
Treatment of AMD
AMD is not treatable but it is manageable, making early detection that much more important. Studies have suggested that an increase in several vitamins including vitamin c, vitamin e, beta carotene, zinc oxide, and copper can slow the progression of AMD if it is detected early enough. In advanced stages, medications can be used to reduce the rate at which your vision deteriorates. Early detection from an experienced ophthalmologist can help ensure your ability to maintain clearer sight once AMD has begun.
If you are over the age of 65, please visit the website of Eyes.com to learn more about AMD, and to find an experienced ophthalmologist in your area.
